Our Fitness Blog

Are You Secretly Sabotaging Your Workout Routine?

Have you been putting in hours at the gym and trying to eat healthy but still not seeing the results that you want? Do you find yourself making excuses for why you can’t seem to reach your fitness goals?

“I can’t look like that because of my genetics.”
“I love to eat.”
“It’s too much work.”

Any of those sound familiar to you? The list can go on and on. However, before you go blaming your lack of results on genetics or time, here are some common mistakes you could be making to sabotage your workout routine.

Overtraining
If you are like me, you absolutely love the gym. I would definitely consider myself a gym rat. I can spend hours in the gym lifting weights, running on the treadmill, striking heavy bags, etc. The harsh reality is that training too much does not allow your body to properly recover. My best advice is to listen to your body. Rest when your body and muscles feel tired, and you will find that your body will perform better when you hit the gym again.

Lack of Sleep
I think any parent will agree with me when I say there’s no such thing as “enough sleep.” When my kids are finally down at night, that is typically when I want to get things done. Cleaning, laundry, and dishes can be done the next day, so try to get some sleep while you can. You will be surprised at how much better your body performs during your workout just from you getting enough sleep.

Performing the Same Exercises
Consistency is highly recommended in any workout routine, but performing the same exercise routine and using the same amount of weight every time you exercise will only lead to little or no results. Get past your body’s comfort zone to avoid a plateau. There are so many different ways to switch up your workout routine. You simply need to get creative.

Trying to “Work Off” What You Eat
This is a very common mistake that I have learned from. We are all guilty of believing that a cheeseburger won’t affect your results if you burn off those extra calories the next day. Unfortunately, exercise is not an excuse to eat what you want. We all love food, but eating the proper foods isn’t about dieting. It’s a lifestyle. There ARE delicious foods out there that provide nutritional benefits and will help you reach your fitness goals.

Unhealthy Habits
This is not just about eating unhealthy foods. There are unhealthy habits that will hinder your fitness goals. Smoking and alcohol can have a negative impact on various parts of your body. Smoking can reduce your physical endurance, and consuming too much alcohol can weaken your muscles and dehydrate your body, which in turn will have a huge impact on your performance in the gym.

Whether you are new to exercise or you are just getting back into a fitness routine, don’t let these challenges deter you from getting the results you desire. Stay motivated and stay on track!